The Renew Gurus

Renew Missouri discusses current conflicts in the Middle East and how this is affecting global energy prices. Featuring guest panelists from Drury University: David Hammons (Visiting Professor of Economic) and Dr. Jeff VanDenBerg (Chair of the Political Science Department, Professor of Political Science, and Director of Middle East Studies).

Executive Director James Owen and Jonathan Kim, a Research Associate with the Energy and Policy Institute, talk about how much of your electric bill goes back to Wall Street and lines the pockets of investors based on a study of utilities all around the country. The conversation takes a particular focus on Ameren Missouri. In a state where bills are rising, learning about where that money goes will surprise you.

Join Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen as he talks to Fair Grove Fire District Chief Randall Hoskins and District President Mike Strozewski as we talk about the small town's effort to save money by going solar. We talk about electrification, government budgets, and how much fire equipment has escalated in costs over the past several years. It's quite a journey in this conversation and we hope you join us. Or, if you are a government leader, you can learn something about how solar can help your budget.

Luke "Skippy" Harbur has been writing songs almost all his life and now will be producing (and starring) in "The Toxic Avenger: The Musical" in Kansas City at the end of the month. He and Executive Director James Owen talk about the show's themes, why art is important in dangerous times, and about the bustling KC culture scene. Check out the show and give the podcast a listen!

What's Integrated Resource Planning and why are groups Renew Missouri so interested in it? We talk with RAP's Alex Antel about the current IRP process, what's going to change as the result of new laws, and what an ideal process looks like for the public. I know this sounds really confusing but we promise it will be an educational and enlightening chat.

Join Renew Missouri's Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with Green Dirt Farm's Sarah Hoffman to talk about sustainable farming, small businesses relying on solar, and the perils facing small ag operations in the modern era. Lots of ground to cover and we go way beyond talking energy as James gets into his farming background as well.

Join Renew MIssouri Executive Director as he talks about Springfield's City Utilities with former Councilmember Dan Chiles. A lively discussion about the future of Missouri's third largest city.

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he sits down to talk with The Missouri Times' Scott Faughn to discuss not only the 2025 Legislative Session but the Special Session called to deal with the Royals' Stadium and St. Louis tornado relief

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he speaks with Kala Homes about the importance of efficiency to home construction and why energy codes should be important to homeowners.

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City's Julia Powell on the important role CAA's play in providing energy efficiency measures to our low-income neighbors.

Join Renew Missouri's Tori Cheatham and James Owen as they speak with former Renew Crew member Andrew Linhares about the Energy Burden Explorer tool and how the public - as well as policymakers and lawmakers - can use this to help understand this critical issue

Join Renew Gurus as we talk to EPI's Jonathan Kim about some of the more outrageous items Ameren tries to get ratepayer to cover. The conversation also dives into Ameren's disconnection rate and growing concerns about the price of electricity.

Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks to Ameren's Rian Heidbrier about Ameren's Community Solar program. We discuss how it works and how you can go solar with Ameren

Join Renew MO ED James Owen as he talks with the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council Clean Schools' Coordinator Deborah Rogers about why sustainability matters in education.

Join Renew's James Owen as he discusses housing policy and energy with the Metropolitan Congregation United's Myisha Johnson

Join our very uncool Executive Director James Owen as he talks to the very cool AY about how sustainability goals and music should mix, about the transformative power of art, and how Kansas City lives up to expectations of social change. Be sure to look up AY's Battery Tour to learn more about his work!

Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks with KU Law Professor Rick Levy on the overturning of the Chevron case and what's in store for environmental regulations.

Join Renew MO Director James Owen as he talks with co-founder PJ Wilson about demand charges, the war against solar, and why democracy matters in a utility.

Join Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with the always-freewheeling Scott Faughn to discuss the Governor's race, the reproductive rights ballot initiative, and whether Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race. Politics plays an outsized role in energy policy and utility ratemaking whether we like it or not. Scott can discuss the nuances of every race and candidate as well as anyone in Missouri. You won't want to miss it.

Renew Gurus Chats with Emily Wolfe about KC Energy Codes by Renew Missouri

Community solar is a concept embraced by twenty states. But Missouri has yet to jump on board. What's the hold up, and why should anyone care whether we have community solar or not? We talk with Sunvest's Kevin Borgia about the concept and about why the Legislature needs to act.

The public has the ability to change our own laws, but what is the process that and how the Missouri Legislature is trying to limit it? Renew Gurus talks to Jefferson City superlawyer Chuck Hatfield about the current state of IP "reform" and how Renew Missouri might be involved in whether the reform will impact the abortion issue in this state. (Really!)

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with Dr. Catherine Robinson about her work to bring democracy to Mississippi's REC Member-Owners!

Join Renew Gurus as they talk to attorneys Rob Harry and Amanda Engel as they explain why tax credits and federal financing opportunities are so critical to our energy future.

Join Renew Gurus as we talk to State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) about his motivation to public service and the legislative process in the state of Missouri. It is a great conversation about how the Missouri Legislature really works.

Join Renew Gurus as we sit down with former Chair of the Public Service Commission Karl Zobrist and talk about past and future challenges facing utilities, as well as the City of Independence's analysis of whether to sell their electric utility.

Join Renew Gurus as we continue talking with new members of the Rural Power Coalition. This week we talk to ALIPL's Kyle Crider about advocating for energy in the River State, the role faith plays in our work, and why Alabama's best days are ahead.

Join Renew Gurus as we interview Voltus CEO Gregg Dixon to talk about the Public Service Commission's ruling on bringing more energy to the grid.

How to Save a Smelting Plant w/ Philip Fracica by Renew Missouri

Join Host and Exec Director James Owen as he chats with Renew Missouri's new Kansas City Coordinator Emily Weber about the work she is doing for the group, her upbringing, her political activism, and her role as a State Representative.

Over the next several months, Renew Gurus will be interviewing new members of the Rural Power Coalition and introducing them as well as their work in their respective states. Our first guest is Deborah Opie of the GCV's Education Fund where she will talk about co-op advocacy work in the state of Georgia.

Join Executive Director James Owen as he talks with the Sierra Club's Brian Smith about the challenges facing RECs and how the IRA can help.

Join the Executive Director, James Owen, as he talks to E&E News' Energy Reporter Jeffrey Tomich about the controversy surrounding Evergy's new 'Time of Use' rates, the role renewables play in Time of Use rates (if any), and if the PSC has gone "woke".

Executive Director host James Owen talks with R Street's Josiah Neeley about the utility companies' plans to put a chokehold on transmission projects. We talk about Right of First Refusal legislation in Missouri as well as other states and what it means for renewable energy in general.

2023 Legislative Round-Up with "The Missouri Times" Scott Faughn by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus Talks the Farm Bill with CURE's Erik Hatlestad by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus Celebrates 100 Episodes with MCC's Heather Navarro by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus: MSUstainability with Doug Neidigh by Renew Missouri

The Return of Renew Gurus with EIERA's Joe Boland by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus Asks: How Cooperative is Your Cooperative? by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus with Property Guru David Townsend on HOA & Solar Law by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus Dives Into the Historic IRA by Renew Missouri

The Down and Dirty on West Virginia v. EPA with Prof. Richard Levy by Renew Missouri

Renew Gurus Talks EV's and Funding with CEW's Margarita Parra by Renew Missouri

Ep 92 - Renew Gurus Talks DAC with Dan Chiles by Renew Missouri

Ep 91 - Renew Gurus Tackles the 2022 MO Legislature with Scott Faughn by Renew Missouri

Ep 90 - Renew Gurus: A "Seam"-ingly Interesting Energy Grid Talk with David Mindham by Renew Missouri

EP 89 Renew Gurus with BXKC's Ashley Sadowski by Renew Missouri

Ep 88 - Unveiling "Renew Missouri Homes" with Pearl's Robin LeBaron by Renew Missouri

Ep 87 - Renew Gurus Talks Grasstop Lobbying with MCE's Melissa Vatterott by Renew Missouri